Seismic resistance of frame-cladding buildings with a cold-formed galvanized steel profile framing

Building structural systems with light gauge steel framing technology are steadily gaining popularity due to their huge advantages over traditional technical solutions. As a result of the competitiveness inherent in LGSF technology, its application is gradually increasing in the manufacture of both bearing and nonbearing structures. At the same time, the actual absence of national standards for seismic design requires the development of programs and the implementation of research and development work to study the behavior of LGSF buildings in the conditions of seismic impact. The article touches upon the main problems of antiseismic construction of LGSF buildings and presents the results of domestic and foreign research.

Análise comparativa da geração de resíduos entre o light steel framing e a construção convencional

Devido ao grande consumo de recursos naturais, elevado consumo de energia, poluição ambiental e geração de resíduos, a construção civil é classificada como uma atividade altamente desgastante para o meio ambiente. Tendo em vista que, no Brasil, são utilizadas técnicas tradicionais de construção que trazem consigo prejuízos financeiros e ambientais durante todo o processo de construção, o presente artigo, visa responder: seria possível encontrar uma via que vise reduzir os danos ambientais e que seja financeiramente viável? Neste contexto, abordaremos o light steel framing (LSF), que tem se apresentado como uma excelente alternativa nestes quesitos, servindo como contraponto direto aos sistemas convencionais amplamente utilizados. Portanto, esta pesquisa, feita a partir de estudos bibliográficos, tem como objetivo principal comparar a geração de resíduos da construção civil (RCC), o light steel framing e as construções convencionais. A partir da análise feita, os resultados mostram que construções utilizando o método LSF, geram quantidades significativamente menores de resíduos quando comparadas com alvenaria convencional, possuindo também menor associação a impactos ambientais, sendo considerada uma prática menos agressiva e mais sustentável.

Indoor Thermal Environment Challenges of Light Steel Framing in the Southern European Context

Over the past decades, Southern European residential architecture has been typically associated with heavyweight hollow brick masonry and reinforced concrete construction systems; however, more industrialised alternative systems have been gaining a significant market share, such as the light steel framing (LSF). Regardless of the proliferation of LSF buildings, a lack of experimental research studies have been performed on this construction system in terms of the indoor thermal environment and thermal comfort in the Southern European climate context. Moreover, a research gap also exists regarding experimental comparisons with typical brick masonry buildings. The present study focused on this research gap by characterising and comparing the performance of these two construction systems. A long-term experimental campaign was carried out, involving the construction and monitoring of two identical test cells, differing only by construction system. The test cells were located in Portugal and were monitored over an entire year. The results revealed that the LSF experimental test cell presented higher daily indoor air temperature fluctuations, leading to more extreme maximum and minimum values, closely following the outdoor dry bulb temperature variations. The more responsive behaviour was also reflected in the indoor thermal comfort analysis, with the LSF cell presenting slightly worse performance; however, some advantages were also observed regarding the LSF construction system, which could provide benefits during intermittent residential occupation, especially in mild climates, in which overheating is not a major concern.

Evaluation of a Residential Project in Light Steel Framing According to LEED for Homes

The construction industry is responsible for high energy consumption, high carbon dioxide emissions, high extraction of non-renewable materials, and large generation of solid waste in the world.The use of prefabricated, industrialized, and technological construction methods can reduce environmental impacts.This research aimed to analyze a single-family residential project in the construction system in Light Steel Framing (LSF), to be implemented in southern Brazil, regarding the prerequisites and credits of the environmental certification Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes of the Green Building Council (GBC) Brazil Homes.For this, it was necessary to apply the Technical Quality Regulation for the Energy Efficiency Level for Homes, achieving the A-level classification in this analysis, with 5.06 final points.Therefore, it was considered the constitution of the building wrap in LSF, the energy efficiency of the materials used, the water heating and lighting systems. The external sealing system used in the residence was the External Insulated Finish System, and the acoustic and thermal insulation occurred through the use of glass wool on the walls and lining. In order to obtain the highest level of LEED certification, the project has received suggestions for improvements. The project obtained 60 final points in the analysis, which would allow the achievement of the gold certification seal.

Seismic Behaviour of Steel Staggered Truss in Building

In this study staggered-truss system (STS) is studied for structural steel framing for the multi-story and high-rise buildings. The staggered-truss systems (STS) consists of a series of story-high trusses spanning the total width between two rows of external columns and arranged in a staggered pattern on adjacent column lines. The system is known to be appropriate for use in residential buildings such as apartments, dormitory and hotels. The columns are located only on the external faces of the building. The large clear span and open areas can be created. The interaction of the floors, trusses, and columns makes the structure perform as a single unit, there by taking maximum advantage of the strength and rigidity of all the components simultaneously. Each component performs its particular function, totally dependent upon the others for its performance. These column free areas can be utilized for ballrooms, concourses and other large areas. The one added benefit of the staggered-truss framing system is that it is highly efficient for resistance to the lateral loading caused by wind and earthquake. The stiffness of the STS provides the desired drift control for wind and earthquake loadings. The staggered-truss framing system is one of the quickest available methods to use during winter construction. The floor system not only carries the direct vertical loads. In addition, It has to act as a diaphragm to transfer the horizontal shear forces between stories through truss diagonals. Because of this double use concept this system results in a lighter structure and provides more column-free space than a conventional beam-column framed structure.